Father Mike's Podcast

Feast of the Ascension - What is the Ascension and how can we allow our thoughts, words, and actions ascend to the heavenly realm together with Jesus."

The Fourth Sunday of Easter - On Good Shepherd Sunday we look at mothers, Jesus, and the new pope."

The Third Sunday of Easter - When Jesus appeared for the third time the events teach us a lot about discipleship and Jesus' plan for us and his Church."

Feast of the Presentation - What the various characters in the Gospel of Luke have to teach us about faith and life."

Baptism of the Lord - Why was Jesus baptized? What does it mean for us and how does Jacob's wrestling story reflect about our baptism."

Christmas - What faith and responding in faith meant to the Shepherds and what it means to us this Christmas."

Third Sunday of Advent - The second week of John the Baptist, he has some advice for us to practice as we wait for the Lord's coming."

First Sunday of Advent - As we begin the new liturgical year and season of Advent, Jesus reminds us of how we can make it fruitful and what to avoid."

Thirty Second Sunday of Ordinary Time - The contrast between the scribes who used their position for self gain and the widow who used her positiong to be generous and trust God is a reflection for us to see how Jesus was and a call for us to live as he lived."

Thirty First Sunday of Ordinary Time - When Jesus says to love God with our whole Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength, what does he mean and how can we do that?"

Twenty Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time - We look briefly at marriage as following the Lord's will and then introduce the parish's Pastoral Plan."

Twenty Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time - Let's look at the Epistle of St. James and see what he has to say about how to live our faith."

Twenty Second Sunday of Ordinary Time - What is the meaning of clean and unclean and the various parts of the Law that regulated it with purifications and rituals? What did Jesus mean when he said we should be more concerned with what comes from within?"

Twenty First Sunday of Ordinary Time - This week is part four of a preaching series based on the Bread of Life Discourse. This week we focus on practical application of the Eucharist in the life of Christ."

Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time - This week is part one of a preaching series based on the Bread of Life Discourse. This week we focus on the liturgy and worship we offer in the Eucharist."

Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time - This week is part one of a preaching series based on the Bread of Life Discourse. This week we focus on the theology of the Eucharist."

Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time - This week is part one of a preaching series based on the Bread of Life Discourse. This week we focus on the history of the Eucharist."

Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time - The pattern of life contains work and rest, ministry and retreat. Ultimately our resting and working for Christ finds its purpose if we allow Jesus to care for us and be our Good Shepherd."

Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time - Why did Jesus' own people not know him? Do we really know him and how can we learn from his humility?."

For various reasons my Sunday homilies have not been recorded. Here is a daily Mass homily that you might like to hear. Daily Mass homilies are more spontaneous and shorter."

Feast of the Ascension - As Jesus assumes his power and glory he does so encouraging us all to live under his authority, accepting his mission, and seeing his great signs. Also, Happy Mother's Day!"

Fifth Sunday of Easter - How the vine and the branches gets lived out in marriage and religious practice."

Second Sunday of Easter - What three movies have to do with Jesus' plan and what it means for us."

Fifth Sunday of Lent - Why the cross matters and what it demonstrates"

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - What was Job addressing and how was it different than our 21st century world? Is there an answer and how is Jesus the best answer to the problem of evil?"

Feast of the Epiphany - Who were the Magi, what are the traditions around them, and what do they tell us about faithful living?"

2nd Sunday of Advent - Preparing for the coming of the Lord and a continuation on the four part series on the Eucharist. This week is what the Church, Catechism, and Vatican II teach us."

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - The signs at Sinai point to Jesus who calls us to do what he asks, worship, and share in our communal responsibility."

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Jesus' teaching on humility helps us to focus on God and others in our lives, live out a spiritual fatherhood, and avoid the pitfalls of selfish living."

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "The parable of the Two Sons speak of the value of obedience and how the lowly deliver far beyond their capacity when God asks us to be obedient to his will and we follow him. This happens through listening, love, worship, and service. Prayer, in particular listening prayer, is key. I'll offer an example of how to pray in this way."

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "The parable of the Workers in the Vineyard help us to understand that we don't deserve more, that God's generosity is his perogative, and we all have been blessed."

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "The parable of the unforgiving steward reminds us of the hard work of forgiveness. Let's do our part to forgive in the way that our God asks."

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - "How games teach us how we should treat one another, avoid gossip, and help each other to be more Godly."

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Why did Jesus tell Peter, "Get behind me Satan!" What does following the will of the Father mean and how do we do it?"

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - "The backdrop and plan at Caesarea Phillipi."

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Jesus walks on water and invites Peter to do the same. How is this possible?"

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "How doe the parables of the kingdom help us to know what God is doing and what he is asking us to do?"

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "What does Jesus ask of us when he says we need to love him above all? What is the cost and how do we express giving?"

Feast of the Holy Trinity - "Why do we believe in the Trinity and how do we believe it? What's unique about Christianity and God revealing himself to us?"

Feast of Pentecost - "Who is the Holy Spirit and what has he done? What is the faith with and without the Holy Spirit?"

Sixth Sunday of Easter - "How are we to understand 1 Peter 3:15? How do we share our faith and what advice might be helpful to do it? Finally, Mother's Day!"

Second Sunday of Easter - "The second week of Easter highlights Jesus' mercy and St. Thomas as a person of seeking faith."

Easter Sunday - "The resurrection is a bold claim. Why do we believe in it and why does that matter?"

Palm Sunday - "The coins Judas is paid reflect how people misunderstood Jesus' infinite Sacrifice. The mockery reflects how people didn't understand Jesus' greatness. Psalm 22 reflects that Jesus knew he would triumph. The passion shows us that Jesus willing gave himself to us in an infinitely valuable sacrifice that brings his triumph to our salvation."

Fifth Sunday of Lent - "Jesus' love and friendship of Lazarus reminds us to know Jesus as our friend so we can see him for who he truly is. He wants to reveal himself to us, raise us up, and set us free. What a friend we have in Jesus."

Fourth Sunday of Lent - "How does suffering, God's goodness, and free will work? What can we do to grow in our faith?"

First Sunday of Lent - "How abandoning himself to the will of the Father helped Jesus to accomplish why he was sent and what that says to us as we begin Lent."

7th Week in Ordinary Time - "Continuing the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs us to be holy, perfect, and merciful like our Heavenly Father."

5th Week in Ordinary Time - "How can we be salt and light and how can we avoid obstacles that keep us from being that. Awesome spaghetti sauce shows us how."

"Who is Mary? What does the Bible say about her and what does the Church teach? What about apparitions and the theology of why she matters? This is a brief talk that touches upon those and other matters. It isn't an exhaustive teaching, but one that might be helpful as we prepare with her this Advent for the coming of Jesus."

Feast of the Holy Trinity - "The Feast of the Trinity is more than just a definition of God. It helps us to know how to enter into relationship with God in a way that would not be possible with other concepts of God."